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RESPECT NOT FACES IN JUDGMENT!
LORD’S DAY, JULY 4
Deuteronomy 1:6-18

Psalm 139:21-24

 

“Hear the causes
between your brethren

and judge righteously.”

 

RESPECT NOT FACES IN JUDGMENT!
 
It is impossible not to make judgments. The moment we open our eyes, we make judgments. Sometimes we even do it by muscle memory. Other times we do so consciously, especially when they are important decisions that impact our lives severely. All judgments we make impact ourselves and others. God never asks us not to make judgments, except  for censorious ones that belong to the old man before salvation. But after salvation, the new man is able to make right judgments.
 
Moses needed help in making judgments as he looked after God’s people in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. According to God’s will, he appointed able or spiritual men to help him. The book of Deuteronomy was written as the final word to Joshua. Regardless of how spiritually gifted we are, no man can serve the Lord without help. Having godly leaders to assist in the ministry is crucial. Their qualifications are spiritual. “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. …” (Exod 18:21a, see also 18:23a). To accomplish these qualities in their ministries, these godly leaders must not respect faces in judgment. There will be loved ones, family and friends in the same congregation. These leaders must judge them fairly, i.e. the same way as they would judge everyone else. They must be bribe-proof. Truth is their middle name. They fear God all the time so that they fear no man.
 
Nepotism has been the bane of many church ministries. Some pastors think that their local church is like their personal mini-kingdom where they pass the baton to their sons or daughters. Members foolishly allow such sins to continue. Godly leaders know that the judgments they make are the Lord’s. Righteous judgments will honour Christ. They will also bless God’s people, for they will fear God, and righteousness will prevail. The people are blessed. Christ is honoured when righteous judgments rule.
 
THOUGHT: Is it possible for a Christian to judge others in the same way that God judges?
PRAYER: Holy Father, keep me from the sin of censorious judgment and help me to judge as Christ would judge, according to Holy Scriptures. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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